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Leigh Centurions enjoyed a Heritage Day celebration today at the Leigh Sports Village, when they defeated Workington Town 22-12 in front of 3,375 spectators, with the attendance giving support to those who would like to see regular Saturday afternoon football in the Championship.

The Centurions launched their Players Heritage Numbers before the game, honouring the 1,392 players that have played for Leigh since they became founder members of the Rugby League in 1895.

And they took the lead after 12 minutes, when prop forward Sam Hopkins made a break with Ryan Brierley in support, who touched down under the posts, with Martin Ridyard adding the conversion.

But Workington were level three minutes later, when a smart passing movement led to a try for halfback Carl Forber to score under the posts before converting his own try.

As the game entered the final ten minutes of the first half, however, Leigh added two further tries to take a ten-point half-time lead. Adam Higson went in at the corner after good work by Kurt Haggerty, with Ridyard unable to convert, before Liam Kay went in at the other corner just before the break. This time Ridyard was able to add the conversion from the touchline.

And Leigh effectively sealed the game after 56 minutes, when Ridyard’s smart, delayed pass put Brierley over for his second try, with Ridyard again converting.

At this stage Workington realised that they were still in the battle to collect a bonus point, and they grabbed it when Jason Mossop followed up his own kick through to touch down, and Forber’s deficit cut the margin to ten points and bonus point territory for Town.

And they thought they had scored again after 70 minutes, but Brett Carter was adjudged to have knocked the ball on.

The Centurions celebrated a wonderful heritage afternoon, while Workington earned their tenth bonus point of the season and are now virtually assured of being in the Championship again next season.

A full report and photographs for this game will feature in Monday’s edition of Rugby League Express.